Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) chief executive, Bonang Mohale, came down hard against President Jacob Zuma on Tuesday, saying that business was in support of his removal from power because his administration had failed to revive the economy.

Speaking at Future South Africa rally at Johannesburg’s City Hall ahead of the Motion of No Confidence vote in Zuma, Mohale said that it was time for corporate South Africa to get involved in socio-economic matters of the country.

“Business must get involved and demand leadership that leads with credibility. We cannot be led by people who do not even understand deficit only for them to say they will pick up the rand when it falls,” Mohale said.

“MPs must also remember that they serve the people. We implore 400 MPs to think deeply, they must accept that they have squandered an opportunity that Madiba afforded them.”

Mohale said business was committed to demonstrate through deeds that transformation is possible in South Africa because society is now more fractured and racist than ever.

Mohale thanked the judiciary for its role in securing the secret vote and making a ruling without overreaching, and also thanked National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete for putting South Africa first and not “narrow interests”.

“I stand here this afternoon to thank Mama Baleka Mbete for acting in the manner that she did,” Mohale said.

David Lewis from Corruption Watch said activism for positive change must be an ongoing process irrespective of the way Tuesday’s vote goes.

The FutureSA rally, just like the countrywide marches, was attended by various civil society and labour groups including Corruption Watch, Africa Rising, Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, Fedusa, Saftu, as well as managing director of Banking Association of South Africa Cas Coovadia, and former Robben Islander and MK platoon commander, Laloo Chiba.

Activists in attendance included anti-apartheid lawyer Bram Fischer’s daughter, Ilse Wilson, and Sharon Ekambaram who referred to Ahmed Kathrada’s letter to Zuma and asked that MPs bear it in mind when voting.